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Differences in the quality of polishing between sound and weathered granites

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Abstract

Aesthetic characteristics are important when rocks are used as construction materials. Among all the surface finishes available, the polished finish is the one which best enhances the rock attractiveness. Colour (C), roughness (R) and gloss (G) are surface properties usually used to assess the rock polishing. In this research, the CRG properties were assessed in polished samples of three ornamental granites with different textures and physical–mechanical properties, one weathered and two sound. C was evaluated in CIE-L * a * b * and CIE-L * C * ab h ab systems, R with R a and R z parameters and G using the 20°, 60° and 85° geometries. The weathered granite presents a noticeable colour variation, especially in the b * parameter, while the sound ones have a more homogeneous colour. Sound and more textural homogeneous granites have a low surface roughness and high gloss, which are uniformly distributed. The weathered granite shows a higher surface roughness and lower gloss, with scattered distribution. The mineral contacts are the main cause of the surface irregularities. The results show the interdependence between the CRG properties and stress the importance of the polishing process for enhancing the aesthetic characteristics of the granites. CRG properties could be used for quality control in granite processing plants, thus avoiding noticeable differences in the facades of buildings, particularly when weathered granites are used.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by Centro de Geociências da Universidade de Coimbra, with funds from the FCT-Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia. Acknowledgments are due to Dr. Karl-Jochen Stein for their constructive comments and suggestions.

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  1. Department of Geology, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Apartado 1013, 5001-801, Vila Real, Portugal

    Luís M. O. Sousa

  2. R&D Department, Transgranitos-Mármores e Granitos do Alto Tâmega, Lda., Apartado 26, Telões, 5450-909, Vila Pouca de Aguiar, Portugal

    Bruno M. M. Gonçalves

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Correspondence to Luís M. O. Sousa.

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Sousa, L.M.O., Gonçalves, B.M.M. Differences in the quality of polishing between sound and weathered granites. Environ Earth Sci 69, 1347–1359 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-012-2035-y

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